If you like Movies and prefer to watch them online, then there really is only one site around for you and that is 123 Movies. As the name suggests it is a clean and simple streaming site, which offers information about the movies, the cast and crew, and even a rating system which is connected up to IMDB. Best of all, it is not plagued by all the pop-ups and other junk that comes with so many other similar sites.

I love movies, but the nature of my work means I have to travel a lot. Sat in hotel rooms at home or abroad, I use movies to unwind after a stressful day. They also help me to connect with my wife and kids back home. Yes, I may be the only grown adult sitting in a hotel room watching kids movies, but when I get home we have something to talk about and inspiration for games to play.

The only problem with 123 Movies is that not everybody is as keen on the service as I am. Movie studios think of the site as being a pirate site and have taken steps to block it in the UK, the USA, and elsewhere. There are plenty of 123 Movie mirror sites, but these are often targeted as well. This can make accessing 123 movies tough at times.

Fortunately, there is a solution. With a Virtual Private Network, it is possible to circumvent the blocks ISPs put on 123 Movies sites and enjoy the content no matter where in the world you are. It has been a godsend for me and it can be for you too.

Why is 123 Movies Blocked?

As I already noted, 123 Movies streams content which the big Hollywood studios claim is copyrighted. Even though most users will watch a film and then buy a DVD or download a proper copy if it is any good, they are keen to stop anyone watching their movies through non-official channels.

This means they have taken action in cahoots with the ISPs or even through the courts to block access to sites like 123 Movies to protect their profit margins. Such blocks are already in place in the USA, the UK, and elsewhere.

This is a blow to regular users, who will frequently find that they cannot access 123 Movies sites. Mirror sites have been set up, but this is like a game of cat-and-mouse, with ISPs seeking to block those as soon as they spot them.

How is 123 Movies Being Blocked?

internet Service Providers, or ISPs, are how all of us connect to the internet. They are the likes of AT&T or Verizon in the USA or Sky and Virgin Media in the UK. As the gateway to the internet for most people, they hold a great deal of power and can control what their subscribers can and cannot access online.

If a copyright holder can persuade them, or a court order forces them, they will stop their users being able to access specific sites. This is what has happened to 123 Movies.

The most reliable way to get around the blocking of 123 Movies is to use a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

A VPN works by redirecting all of your online traffic down an encrypted pathway to a remote server. This server can be located anywhere in the world, so to access blocked sites such as 123 Movies, you simply have to connect to a server in a country where the site is not blocked.

The encrypted pathway ensures that your ISP is unable to see what you are doing online and bingo, 123 Movies is available to watch again.

The process for using a VPN to unblock 123 Movies is a simple one and I have illustrated the simple steps you need to use below. To do this, I have opted to use ExpressVPN, which is one of the most well-regarded VPNs on the market and with good reason. It is perhaps the fastest and most reliable VPN connection around and offers servers in a whole host of countries meaning there should be no shortage of options for connecting to 123 Movies.

How to Use a VPN to Unblocked 123 Movies

Step 1: Sign up for VPN

The first thing you will need to do is sign up for a VPN. As I have said above, I will be using ExpressVPN as an example of using a VPN to unblock 123 Movies. Other VPN providers are also available.

So, first, you will need to visit the ExpressVPN website, which you can do by clicking one of the links on this page. Once there, select the subscription package which best suits you needs. I would recommend the annual subscription which definitely offers the best value for money.

Click on you chosen package and you will be redirected to a payment site where you can follow the simple steps to pay for your connection. The price will be no more than a few dollars a month and ExpressVPN offers a no questions asked 30-day money back guarantee should you not be totally satisfied with their service. This means you can be sure you will get all of your money back.

You can see some screenshots of the process of signing up for ExpressVPN below:

Step 2: Download & Install VPN

Once the payment process has been completed, you will then be prompted to download the ExpressVPN software for whichever device you are wanting to use to watch 123 Movies. You can do this simply by selecting the appropriate operating system from the list. Just follow the simple onscreen download and installation instructions to put the software onto your device:

Step 3: Connect to US-based Server on VPN

Once you have the software downloaded and installed, open it up, and on the main page, you will be asked to choose which server you want to connect to.

Make your choice from the many available, being sure to opt for one located outside of the UK or USA, but as close as possible to your actual location to maximize connection speeds. Click on the chosen server and wait a few seconds while a connection is established:

Step 4: Watch 123 Movies

And that is that. You should now be able to visit the 123 Movies site of your choice and stream content like you always used to. If for some reason the connection doesn’t work, try using a different server in a different country. With a bit of trial and error, you will soon get it going and be able to enjoy streams of whichever movies take your fancy. The next one on my list is Trolls! My kids just adore that movie.

Conclusion

ExpressVPN should be able to unblock 123 Movies for any user and is always my pick of the VPN providers for streaming content. But of course, there are other VPNS out there and if you don’t like the look of ExpressVPN, I have outlined my top 5 alternative VPN providers for you below. All will do the job and enable you to watch the movies you want to on the device of your choice wherever you are, through 123 Movies: